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Press Release

New York, NY, April 30, 2012 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) honored Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano for her leadership in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

Secretary Napolitano received the ADL William and Naomi Gorowitz Institute Service Award, which salutes outstanding achievements in combating terrorism, extremism and injustice, during the League's Shana Amy Glass National Leadership Conference, April 29 in Washington, D.C.

"At this time of great challenge and evolving threats, our nation is fortunate to have Secretary Napolitano at the helm of the Department of Homeland Security," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, in presenting the award. "Secretary Napolitano knows that countering radicalization and violence is frequently best achieved by engaging and empowering individuals and groups at the local level to build resilience against violent extremism-- a mantra the League also advocates. Her actions show that while law enforcement plays an essential role in keeping us safe, so too does engagement and partnership with communities."

During her remarks, Secretary Napolitano underscored the Department's efforts to collaborate on security efforts with Israel, through initiatives such as the Container Security Initiative, which identifies and screens high risk cargo before it enters the U.S., and other collaborative efforts to combat illegal cash smuggling and transnational crimes. She thanked ADL for its efforts to partner with DHS on law enforcement training on hate crimes and extremist threats.

"Local communities and organizations are an important part of our efforts to counter violent extremism and keep communities safe," Secretary Napolitano said. "Nonprofit organizations, such as the ADL, help in this effort by providing invaluable training to thousands of law enforcement officers on how to identify early signs of violent extremism."

ADL and DHS have worked closely to provide security resources and information to Jewish institutions and organizations nationwide. The agency's top personnel have participated in ADL's law enforcement seminars and training, including the Advanced Training School, the National Counter-Terrorism Seminar in Israel and the Law Enforcement and Society: Lessons of the Holocaust program. Most recently, Secretary Napolitano asked ADL for input on the development of new curriculum for state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement focused on a community oriented approach to countering violent extremism and crime.

ADL noted that under Secretary Napolitano's guidance, DHS has led efforts to protect critical infrastructure and cyber networks from attack, built partnerships with local and state law enforcement, identified foreign and domestic threat, coordinated with U.S. allies on issues such as arms trafficking, and enforced immigration standards. Secretary Napolitano previously was the governor of Arizona, where she was recognized as a national leader on homeland security, border security and immigration.

The ADL William and Naomi Gorowitz Institute on Terrorism and Extremism works to combat the threat of terrorism through educational, political and legal means. It is dedicated to providing timely information and educational opportunities to the law enforcement community. Established by Alan Gerry in 1987 to honor his late parents, the Institute assists the law enforcement community by providing resources for tracking extremists and terrorists across the U.S.

Past recipients of the ADL Gorowitz award include: NYPD Assistant Chief and Commanding Officer of its Intelligence Division Thomas P. Galati; former Boston, New York and Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton; former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff; former CIA Director George Tenet; former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh; NYPD Commissioner and former Commissioner of U.S. Customs Service Raymond W. Kelly; and U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.